Cyclist supporter alleges road rage incident

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The Christchurch editor of a sport website embroiled in an online war of words between cyclists and motorists was himself allegedly assaulted in a road rage incident this morning.

Rik Unthank told The Press.co.nz that a passenger of a car that nearly hit him while cycling on Cashmere's Dyer's Pass Road this morning, subsequently got out at a roundabout and tried to strangle him, leaving red marks around his neck.

Unthank, who has been posting online in support of cyclists, was unhurt but said he had since laid a complaint with police.

Since being contacted by The Press, the car passenger has offered to meet and apologise in person to Unthank later today.

The incident happened on the same day a city businessman issued a statement, apologising for his online remarks in which he said he wanted to "nail'' cyclists with his Hummer.

Richard Freeman said his family and business colleagues had received threats since his posting went viral on the internet.